Bedding Protector

ABSTRACT

A bedding protector for installing over a bedding to serve as a machine washable barrier between a user and their bedding. The bedding protector comprises a body that is adapted to be attached to the bedding in a secured position such that the interior side of the body lays atop an exterior side of the bedding. A fastening system includes a bedding protector fastener configured to releasably mate with a bedding fastener, such that when they are secured to one another the bedding protector and bedding are thereby secured to each other. In one embodiment, the bedding protector wraps around the bedding to lay against the exterior side of the bedding so as to sandwich the bedding. In another embodiment, the bedding protector secures to the bedding via a zipper fastener. The bedding protector prevents dirt, odors, and oils from a sleeper&#39;s skin from transferring onto the bedding.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/958,480 filed on Jan. 8, 2020. The above identified patentapplication is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to bedding protectors. The presentinvention provides a bedding protector having a body configured to beinstalled over a bedding via a fastener system. The body is adapted toserve as a machine washable barrier between a user and their bedding toincrease the cleanliness of the bedding.

Many people use duvet covers and comforters to not only keep them warmwhile sleeping, but also to add a decorative element to a bedroom. Somepeople use a top sheet positioned between them and a comforter or duvetwhile sleeping. However, the top sheet does not always perfectly overlapwith the bedding and the upper end of the bedding ends up contacting theperson's upper body and face. Other times, a person will forego a sheetentirely and the interior side of the bedding will be in direct contactwith the person's entire body.

As a result, the interior side of the bedding becomes dirty and needs tobe cleaned more often. Unfortunately, it is difficult to remove and puton a duvet cover. Further, certain washing machines and dryers are notof adequate size to handle the size of a bulky comforter. Therefore,most people will either avoid washing their bedding or be inconveniencedby washing their bedding. Therefore, there exists a need for amachine-washable bedding protector that is configured to easily secureto an existing bedding and serve as a barrier between a person and theirbedding.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted thatthe present invention substantially diverges in design elements andmethods from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is aneed in the art for an improvement for a bedding protector. In thisregard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types ofbedding protectors now present in the known art, the present inventionprovides a bedding protector wherein the same can be utilized forproviding a machine washable barrier between a user and their bedding.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a beddingprotector comprising a body having an interior side and an exteriorside. A fastener system comprising at least one pair of mating fastenerssuch that they are removable secured to one another. The interior sideis configured to receive the bedding positioned between the fastenersystem such that the bedding protector is removable secured to thebedding.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide beddingprotector having a fastening system, wherein the fastening systemcomprises magnetic fasteners.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide beddingprotector having a body that is a half sheet that extends less than anentire length of a bedding and configured to secure only to the headportion of the bedding.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide beddingprotector having a body that is a full sheet that extends an entirelength of a bedding and configured to secure to the head and footportion of the bedding.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide beddingprotector having a body and a bedding, wherein the fastening systemcomprises a fastener disposed on an edge of the body and a matingfastener disposed on a perimeter edge of the bedding, such that thefastener and mating fasteners removably secure to one another.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method forprotecting a bedding, comprising: providing a bedding protector having abody, wherein the body is flexible and adapted to conform to thebedding, positioning the body to the bedding in a secure position,wherein the secured position is achieved when the interior side of thebody lays atop an exterior side of the bedding, fastening the beddingprotector to a bedding via a fastening system, the fastening systemcomprising a bedding protector fastener configured to releasably matewith a bedding fastener, such that when they are secured to one anotherthe bedding protector and bedding are thereby secured to each other

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new andimproved new a bedding protector that has all of the advantages of theknown art and none of the disadvantages.

Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will beparticularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and mannerin which it may be made and used may be better understood after a reviewof the following description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the beddingprotector attached to a bedding.

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional view of the first embodiment of thebedding protector of FIG. 1 attached to the bedding.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the beddingprotector in an open configuration.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the beddingprotector attached to a bedding.

FIG. 5 shows a shows a cross sectional view of the second embodiment ofthe bedding protector of FIG. 4 attached to the bedding.

FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of a fastener of thebedding protector.

FIG. 7 shows perspective view of a third embodiment of the beddingprotector attached to a bedding.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of the third embodiment of thebedding protector of FIG. 7 attached to the bedding.

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the beddingprotector having a marker for a fold line and fastener alignment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. For the purposes ofpresenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, thepreferred embodiment will be discussed as used for mounting to a beddingto serve as a machine washable barrier between a user and their bedding.The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should notbe considered to be limiting in any respect.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiment (s) ofthe invention. References to “one embodiment,” “at least oneembodiment,” “an embodiment,” “one example,” “an example,” “forexample,” and so on indicate that the embodiment(s) or example(s) mayinclude a feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, orlimitation but that not every embodiment or example necessarily includesthat feature, structure, characteristic, property, element, orlimitation. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in an embodiment” doesnot necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a perspective and crosssectional view of a first embodiment of the bedding protector attachedto a bedding, respectively. The bedding protector 1000 provides asheet-like material or other similar structure that separates directcontact from the user and a bedding 5000. The bedding protector 1000 isseparable from the bedding 5000 so the user may selectively separate thebedding 5000 and bedding protector 1000 for washing. The beddingprotector 1000 comprises a body 1100 having an interior side 1110opposing an exterior side 1120, wherein the interior side 1110 isdefined as the side that faces the bedding 5000 when secured therewith.In the shown embodiment, the body 1100 is a half sheet. A half sheet isdefined as a body that does not extend an entire length of the bedding,wherein the length is defined from a head of the bedding to a foot ofthe bedding. In the illustrated embodiment, the length of the body whensecured to the bedding is less than 25% of the length of the bedding towhich it is attached. In this way, the bedding protector 1000 isintended to protect only one side or edge of the bedding 5000.

In alternative embodiments, the body 1100 may comprise a full sheet (seeFIGS. 4 and 5), a blanket (see FIGS. 7 and 8), or the like. As usedherein, the term “full sheet” is not indicative of standard NorthAmerican mattress dimensions, of “full”. Rather, “full sheet” is hereused to define the relationship of the bedding protector 1000 to thebedding 5000, regardless if the bedding 5000 may be characterized as“Twin”, “Twin XL”, “Full”, “Queen”, “King”, “Cal-King”, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the interior side 1110 of the body 1100 formsa flat face that is flexible and adapted to conform to the bedding 5000.The exterior side 1120 is disposed on the opposing side from theinterior side 1110 and generally faces away from the bedding 5000 andconfigured to contact a user when secured to the bedding.

In the shown embodiments, the body 1100 is adapted to be positioned overthe bedding 5000 in a secured position. In the secured position, theinterior side 1110 of the body 1100 lays atop an exterior side 5020 ofthe bedding 5000 and wraps around a head portion 5030 of the bedding5000 to lay against the exterior side 5020 of the bedding 5000 so as tosandwich the bedding 5000 between the bedding protector 1000. In thisway, bedding protector 1000 forms a machine washable barrier between auser and their bedding 5000.

In one embodiment, the body is composed of a machine washable material,such as cotton, polyester, linen, Tencel®, bamboo, silk, a blendthereof, and the like. The body is configured to be soft, flexible, andcomfortable to a skin surface.

In the shown embodiment, the “half sheet” body 1100 does not extend anentire length of the bedding 5000 therebetween. The body 1100 iscoextensive or overlapping with the bedding 5000 for between six andthirty-six inches. In other embodiments, the “half sheet” body 1100 maycover more or less surface area of the bedding 5000. Additionally, the“half sheet” body 1100 has a generally rectangular shape. In this way,the width of the body 1100 and bedding 5000 are not the same dimensionsuch that the lateral edges 1150 of the body terminates inset from thelateral edge 5150 of the bedding 5000 when in the secure position. Inthe illustrated embodiment, a width of the body is only configured toextend a width of the mattress and not the entire width of the bedding5000, wherein the width is measured between the lateral sides of themattress. In this way, the bedding protector 1000 does not extend downthe sides of the mattress when secured to the bedding, but only laysatop of the bedding 5000 and mattress. The relationship of the bedding5000 width to the body 1100 width allows the bedding protector 1000 tobe wrapped around or mounted to the bedding 5000, such as a sheet, whenthe bedding is tucked beneath the mattress without the need to disturbor untuck the bedding from the mattress.

In the shown embodiment, a fastening system 1300 provides for theselective placement of the bedding protector 1000 to the bedding 5000.The fastening system 1300 comprising at least one pair of matingfasteners 1310 such that they are removable secured to one another. Asshown in FIG. 1, there are three sets of mating fasteners 1310 that haveenough magnetic attraction to semi-permanently mate with each otherwhile securing the bedding 5000 therebetween.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening system 1300 comprises threefasteners disposed on the interior side 1110 of the body 1100 and threemating fasteners disposed on the interior side of the body 1100 suchthat they form three pairs. Each pair is spaced at a fixed distance fromone another such that a first fastener aligns with a first matingfastener. In alternate embodiments, the fastening system comprises morepairs of mating fasteners and in other embodiments the fastening systemcomprises less than three pairs of mating fasteners.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fastening system 1300 is disposed onthe interior side 1110 so as not to contact the user while in use. Theexterior side 1120 is configured to rest against the user while in use.In alternate embodiments, the fastening system 1300 is embedded withinan interior cavity of the body 1100. In the illustrated embodiment, thefasteners 1310 are secured to the body in order to prevent the fasteners1310 from moving relative to the body 1100. In other embodiments, aprotective layer surrounds the fasteners 1310 to prevent moisture fromcoming into contact therewith.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the bedding protector in an open configuration. In someembodiments, the mating fasteners 1310 are positioned at differentdistances from an uppermost and lowermost sides of the body 1100. Forexample, in the illustrated embodiment, a first and second pair ofmating fasteners 1310 are disposed along opposing lateral edges 1150 anda third and fourth pair of mating fasteners 1310 are disposed alongopposing upper and lower sides 1600 of the body 1100. The first andsecond pair of mating fasteners are positioned closer to a center lineor fold line 1510 of the body 1100. When the bedding protector 1000 issecured to an uppermost edge of the bedding, the third and fourth pairof mating fasteners 1310 (central fasteners) will be positioned furtheraway from the fold line 1510. In this way, the center fasteners will bepositioned away from a user's face and neck when in use or covered withthe bedding and the bedding protector secured thereto.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a perspective andcross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the bedding protectorattached to a bedding, respectively. In the shown embodiment, the body1100 is a “full sheet” adapted to extend an entire length of a beddingand configured to secure to the head and foot portion of the bedding. Inalternate embodiments, the body 1100 comprises any suitable shapeconfigured to cover the bedding 5000.

In the shown embodiment, the bedding protector 1000 includes a fastenersystem 1300 with set of upper and lower magnetic fasteners 1320, 1330.The lower magnetic fasteners 1330 are positioned at a foot end of thebedding 5000 and wrap past the foot end thereof, similar to the wrappingaround at the head portion. In an alternative embodiment, the fastenersystem 1300 only includes the upper magnetic fastener 1320 allowing thelower end to be free to tuck underneath a mattress and over the bedding5000.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown an exploded view of anembodiment of a fastener of the bedding protector. In the shownembodiment, the fastening system 1300 comprises a first set of magneticfasteners 1310A and a second set of magnetic fasteners 1310B, whereineach set is placed in a pocket that is sewn into the body 1100 of thebedding protector 1000. This allows one to selectively place and removethe magnetic fasteners 1310A, 1310B from and into the bedding protector1000. The first set of magnetic fasteners 1310A are facing each other inthe secured position. In one embodiment, the magnetic fasteners 1310A,1310B are positioned such that the mating faces of the magneticfasteners 1310A, 1310B are exposed along the interior side 1110 of thebody 1100. In another embodiment, the magnetic fasteners 1310A, 1310Bare sewn into the bedding protector 1000 so that the user need not worryabout placing or removing the magnetic fasteners 1310A, 1310B. Themagnetic fasteners are strong enough to secure to one another despitebedding positioned therebetween.

In the shown embodiment, the body 1100 comprises multiple layers 1400.In some embodiments, a first layer 1410 is disposed between the interiorand exterior side of body 1100, 1120, wherein the first layer 1410 isconfigured to prevent moisture from passing therethrough and absorbodors. In other embodiments, the exterior side 1120 comprises a layerconfigured to prevent moisture and odor from passing through to theinterior layer.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, there is shown a perspective andcross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the bedding protectorattached to a bedding, respectively. In the shown embodiment, thebedding protector 2000 comprises a body 2100 having an interior side2110 opposing an exterior side 2120, wherein the body 2100 is flexibleand adapted to conform to a bedding 6000. The body 2100 is adapted to beattached to the bedding 6000 in a secured position. In the securedposition, the interior side 2110 of the body 2100 lays atop an exteriorside of the bedding 6000 and releasably secures therewith via afastening system 2300. The fastening system 2300 comprises a beddingprotector fastener 2310 configured to releasably mating with a beddingfastener 6310, such that when they are secured to one another thebedding protector 6000 and bedding are thereby secured to each other. Inthis way, the body 2100 secures directly to the bedding 6000.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 2100 and the bedding 6000comprise a same width and length in order to overlay one another suchthat the perimeter of the bedding 6000 aligns with the perimeter of thebody 2100. In alternative embodiments, the body 2100 has a lengthgreater than the length of the bedding 6000 such that the body 2100extends past the head and foot portions of the bedding 6000.

In the shown embodiment, the bedding protector fastener 2310 and thebedding fastener 6310 each comprises a magnetic fastener, wherein themagnetic bedding protector fastener 2310 is disposed on the interiorside 2110 of the body 2100 so as to align with the magnetic beddingfastener 6320 in the secure position.

In some embodiments, the fastening system 2300 further comprises azipper fastener, wherein the zipper bedding protector fastener 2320 isdisposed on a lateral edge of the body 2100 so as to align with thezipper bedding fastener 6320 in the secure position. In someembodiments, the fastening system is disposed between the first layerand exterior layer.

In alternate embodiments, the body 2100 and the bedding 6000 compriseany suitable mating fastener configured to secure to one another. Forexample, in one embodiment, the bedding 6000 comprises a femalefastener, such as an aperture, and the body 2100 comprises a malefastener, such as a button, clip, or clasp.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a perspective view of anembodiment of the bedding protector having a marker for a fold line andfastener alignment. In some embodiments, the body 1100 comprises one ormore markers 1500, such as a fold line 1510 and fastener alignmentmarkings 1520, in order to guide a user as to where to align the bedding5000 with the body 2100 and fastening system 1300. In one embodiment,the marker 1500 includes a stitch, indicia, or the like forming a creaseon an exterior side 1120 of the body 1100 that provides for foldingthereat. In another embodiment, the marker 1500 includes fasteneralignment markings 1520, such as indicia, corresponding to the placementof the fastener system 1300.

In one use, the bedding protector 1000 is being attached to the bedding5000 to achieve the secure position. The fold line 1510 divides the bodyinto a head upper portion 1510A and a foot lower portion 1510B. In theillustrated embodiment, the dimensions of the upper portion is equal tothe dimensions of the lower portion. The user aligns the fold line 1510with the uppermost edge of the bedding 5000 such that the head upperportion 1510A of the body 1100 wraps over the uppermost edge of thebedding 5000 and the foot lower portion 1510B rests over the top of thebedding 5000. The fastener alignment markings 1520 indicate the positionof the fasteners 1300 such that they may be easily mated to secure thebedding in the secure position. The folding line 1510 and the fasteneralignment markings 1520 cooperatively function for convenient securementto the bedding 5000. In some embodiments, the fold line 1510 is a livinghinge that encourages rotation thereabout relative to the surroundingarea of the body 1100.

A method of securing a bedding protector to a bedding is also provided.The method comprises providing the bedding protector having a bodyhaving an interior side opposing an exterior side, the body beingflexible and adapted to conform to the bedding. The method furtherincludes positioning the body to the bedding in a secure position,wherein the secured position is achieved when the interior side of thebody lays atop an exterior side of the bedding, and fastening thebedding protector to a bedding via a fastening system, the fasteningsystem comprising a bedding protector fastener configured to releasablymate with a bedding fastener, such that when they are secured to oneanother the bedding protector and bedding are thereby secured to eachother.

In some embodiments, the fastening system comprises a magnetic fastenerand a zipper fastener.

In another embodiment, the method includes wrapping around a headportion of the bedding to lay against an exterior side of the bedding soas to sandwich the bedding therebetween. The method may further comprisealigning a fold line of the body with an uppermost edge of the bedding,wherein the fold line is adapted to indicate where to fold the body soas to position the fastener system. Additionally, the method may furthercomprise aligning a fastener alignment marking of the body, wherein thefastener alignment marking is adapted to provide a reference foraligning the fastener system.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown anddescribed in what is considered to be the most practical and preferredembodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be madewithin the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications willoccur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the abovedescription then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensionalrelationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations insize, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation,assembly, and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to oneskilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

I claim:
 1. A bedding protector, comprising: a body having an interiorside opposing an exterior side; wherein the body is flexible and adaptedto conform to a bedding; wherein the body is adapted to be positionedover the bedding in a secured position; wherein the secured position isformed when the interior side of the body lays atop an exterior side ofthe bedding and wraps around a head portion of the bedding to layagainst the exterior side of the bedding so as to sandwich the beddingtherebetween; a fastening system comprising at least one pair of matingfasteners such that they are removable secured to one another; whereinthe at least one pair of mating fasteners are disposed on the interiorside of the body such that they align and face each other forselectively securing and releasing when in the secured position.
 2. Thebedding protector of claim 1, wherein the body is a full sheet thecovers an entire top side of the exterior side of the bedding.
 3. Thebedding protector of claim 1, wherein the body is a half sheet.
 4. Thebedding protector of claim 1, wherein the body has a width of less thana standard bedding such that lateral right edge and lateral left edge ofthe bedding is exposed when the bedding protector is in the securedposition.
 5. The bedding protector of claim 1, wherein the fasteningsystem comprises magnetic fasteners.
 6. The bedding protector of claim5, wherein the magnetic fasteners are at intervals
 7. The beddingprotector of claim 1, wherein the body comprises multiple layers in astacked arrangement.
 8. The bedding protector of claim 7, wherein thefastening system comprises magnetic fasteners.
 9. The bedding protectorof claim 8, wherein the magnetic fasteners are positioned between aninterior side layer and an exterior side layer.
 10. The beddingprotector of claim 7, wherein the body comprises a waterproof layeradapted to prevent moisture from penetrating through the layer, whereinthe waterproof layer is positioned between an interior side layer and anexterior side layer.
 11. The bedding protector of claim 1, wherein theexterior side of the body comprises indicia thereon, such as a fold lineor a fastener marking, the indicia being configured to align thefastening system in the secured position.
 12. A bedding protector,comprising: a body having an interior side opposing an exterior side;wherein the body is flexible and adapted to conform to a bedding;wherein the body is adapted to be attached to the bedding in a securedposition; wherein the secured position is formed when the interior sideof the body lays atop an exterior side of the bedding; a fasteningsystem comprising a bedding protector fastener configured to releasablymate with a bedding fastener, such that when they are secured to oneanother the bedding protector and bedding are thereby secured to eachother.
 13. The bedding protector of claim 12, wherein the beddingprotector fastener and the bedding fastener each comprises a magneticfastener, wherein the magnetic bedding protector fastener is disposed onthe interior side of the body so as to align with the magnetic beddingfastener in the secure position.
 14. The bedding protector of claim 13,wherein the bedding protector fastener and the bedding fastener eachfurther comprise a zipper fastener, wherein the zipper bedding protectorfastener is disposed on a lateral edge of the body so as to align withthe zipper bedding fastener in the secure position.
 15. A method ofsecuring a bedding protector to a bedding, the method comprising:providing the bedding protector comprising: a body having an interiorside opposing an exterior side; wherein the body is flexible and adaptedto conform to the bedding; positioning the body to the bedding in asecure position, wherein the secured position is achieved when theinterior side of the body lays atop an exterior side of the bedding;fastening the bedding protector to a bedding via a fastening system, thefastening system comprising a bedding protector fastener configured toreleasably mate with a bedding fastener, such that when they are securedto one another the bedding protector and bedding are thereby secured toeach other.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the fastening systemcomprises a magnetic fastener and a zipper fastener.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: wrapping around a head portion of thebedding to lay against an exterior side of the bedding so as to sandwichthe bedding therebetween.
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: aligning a fold line of the body with an uppermost edge ofthe bedding, wherein the fold line is adapted to indicate where to foldthe body so as to position the fastener system.
 19. The method of claim17, further comprising: aligning a fastener alignment marking of thebody, wherein the fastener alignment marking is adapted to provide areference for aligning the fastener system.